"Campion & Frost" AIR 2/9317

Recommendation by the Secretary of State for Air for the Award of the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) for Gallantry to :-

612282 A.C.1. Ernest Ralph Clyde FROST (Canadian).

536451 L.A.C. Michael CAMPION.

These two airmen displayed great courage in effecting the rescue of an unconscious pilot from a burning aircraft as the result of a collision in which two Blenheim aircraft were involved while taking off.

Frost and Campion were among the first to arrive on the scene. Not knowing that the pilot was the sole occupant, Frost promptly entered the rear cockpit which was full of smoke and fumes in search of the wireless operator. Satisfying himself no one was there and nearly exhausted he climbed out and ran to the front cockpit where Campion was trying to rescue the pilot. Working heroically both men, with great risk to themselves, from the imminent danger of petrol tanks exploding, extricated the pilot from the burning aircraft. Shortly afterwards the tanks exploded and the whole aircraft was rapidly burned out. Unfortunately the pilot died later.